World War I Victoria Cross Recipient. Born in Stockton-on-Tees, England, he served as a Sergeant in the 12th Battalion, King's Royal Rifle Corps, British Army. At Langemarck Belgium on August 16, 1917, when German machine-guns from a concrete blockhouse were causing heavy casualties to Sergeant Cooper's battalion, he took four men and rushed towards the blockhouse. Although they fired at the garrison at very close range, the machine-guns were not silenced. Sergeant Cooper then himself, ran straight at them and fired his revolver into an opening in blockhouse. The machine-guns ceased firing, the garrison surrendered with seven machine-guns and 45 prisoners being captured. For gallantry in the face of the enemy, he was awarded the Victoria Cross on September 26, 1917 and went on to achieve the rank of Major. He died at the age of 89 in Stockton-on-Tees, England. (bio by: John "J-Cat" Griffith)